goodoleboy

Looking at buying a new rifle I want it to be my all around hunting gun. Ive narrowed it down to .308 or 30-06. I already have a 30-30 and .223 guns already but I need something for long distance shooting. I Plan on keeping this rifle and using it exclusively for many years to come.

Game it will be usedare hogs & deer in Oklahoma. Bigger game a few yearsdown the roadlike moose and a mule deer in other states.

Since my wife andbrothershoot also I we go through alot of ammo smoung us. I want to stick with these rounds as they are abundent and ammo can be purchased anywhere.

What are the pros and cons of the each round? Are these calibers effective for most game inNorth America? Which round would you go with and why?

Thank you

hardcorehunter

30.06 way more versatile as a lot more ammo options. Here is a ballistic chart you can look at http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ballistics/

Wingbone

An '06 has more ammo options. Ithas a reputation for being accurate with a wide variety of bullet weights and as an effective all-around cartridge. A 308 has a more limited range of suitable bullet weights, but is an inherantly more accurate cartridge to begin with. It also shorter and can fit into a smaller rifle setup.

trt sniper

the 06 has more ammo options but the .308 is a way more accurate gun. just depends on what you are looking for

chuckclear2000

The 308 will do anything the 30-06 will do and with a shorter action. However, EVERYONE carries 30-06 shells and different variations, it's just a very common round to carry. I actually have both and love my 308 for it's accuracy, but love my 30-06 because I can go anywhere with it and it will bring down anything and you can guarantee ammo anywhere you go. Then again, I brought down my Canadian buck with my 308 at 150 yards(The buck weighed 300 lbs) with a single shot. I'd go 30-06, it's just so versatile and ammo is soooooo easy to find. Just my 2 cents!

tsoc

I would suggest the 30/06 because of it's versatility and ammunition availability.There was a book I purchased for a friend a while back.I think the title was "one man one rifle" I may be mistaken.He Harvested every big game animal in North America with his 30/06.

Windwalker7

Both are excellent cartridges. The 30.06 isvery popular and would be a better choice if you were ever to go after larger game such as moose or elk.

The 308 is a good accurate round and can be had in some rifles that only come in short action. Rem. M7, Ruger Compact, etc...

I'd say go with the .06 unless you really like one of the rifles that only come in short action.

TomFromTheShade

I would suggest the .308 Winchester. I shoot a .30-06 Springfield, and I love it, but if I had it to do all over again I would probably opt for the .308 Winchester. There are a few reasons that I make this suggestion.

1. The .308 is a short action cartridge and thus it is available in shorter, lighter rifles. This may not seem like much of a difference, but any thing that can make carrying my rifle more pleasurable is okay with me.

2. The .308 has better availability of ammunition. If you like plinking you can take advantage of military surplus ammo in the neighborhood of 150 to 200 bucks per thousand rounds. Also, the hunting ammunition available is top notch as well. You have AT LEAST a dozen choices in the 150 to 180 grain variety and all of them are suitable for deer, black bear, hogs, elk, moose, and tons of other game.

3. The .308 and the .30-06 are nearly ballistically identical. In the field you will be very hard pressed to notice any difference at distances under 300 yards. Lets all be honest with ourselves here. Who has ever taken a shot at game beyond 300 yards? I know that I haven't, and even if you have you should know that 99% of your shots will be under 300 yards and most of them will be well under 300 yards.

If you decide to go with the .30-06 you will not be disappointed, but the .308 will be a fine choice as well!

derekt28

I’d stick with the 30-06. There is more selection for ammo, and it’s celebrating its 100th Anniversary this October. That gives me an excellent excuse to have CAKE. Mmmm good.

Kamil

I have a .308 and i love it, but i also like my fiends 30-06...if you are going to get a 06 get a pump handle one...i think they look the best...just a tidbit of info police snipers use .308